Liquid-level gauge



9 INVENTOR. il?! Row/and Bray/22 'eraid 6', 6am;

Sept. 5, 1933.

J. R. BROWN ET AL LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE Filed Aug. 4, 1930 Patented Sept. 5,

LKQUllD-LEVEL GAUGE John Rowland Brown, ()lcveland Heights, and Gerald E. Sams, Cleveland, Ohio, assighors to The Reliance iiauge Column Company, Cleve- Qhic, a corporation of ()hio v[tip-pl;cation August 4, 1930 Serial No. ll2,'l72

8 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid-level indicating gauges, and more particularly to gauges for op eration under very high pressures;-. and it is among the objects of the invention to provide a durable construction, which is at the same time simple character. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain embodiments of the invention, t being illustrative, however, of .but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawin i is a iront elevational view showing an embodiment of the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale;

Fig' 3 is a similar view of a modification;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary elevational views of various forms; and

Fig. i is a transverse section of another form.

In its general aspects, the inventioncontemplates an indicating gauge having a relatively thin transparent cover means on a liquid-containing holder or chamber, backed up by mechanical supporting elements of a character to apply thrust-support at points effective. As a further refinement, clamping means independently regulable also may be employed.

As illustrated, one convenient formof the deice may comprise a body member 2 having a 1ongitudinal bore or slot 3, communicatingat its ends, for instance, by connections 4, 5, with a liquid-containing receptacle, water column, or boiler. rranged over the face of such slot or liquid chamber is a transparent cover member 6. It will be understood that such a member is provided at each face-of the slot, thereby allowing clear vision of a liquid-meniscus therewithin. The material of such transparent members may comprise any convenient substance, such for instance as a silicatecompound in character, mica, resistant glass, etc., and preferably being of a flexible character. Ordinarily, mica is desirable. Advantageously, a suitable gasket or packing 7 may be interposed between the body 2 and such transparent cover element; and for eiiective holding, the body member may be provided with recesses or rebates 8, wherein the packing, cover members, etc., may be seated.

Backing the transparent cover member is a as to more fully expose openings and the plate 9 thereunder. Preferably also, the slotting of the member 11 is beveled back so as to aiford less obstruction, While yet providing adequate mechanical support. With a similar equipment of transparent racing members, grids and supports applied to each face of the slot 3, clamping means is provided for retaining in. assemblage- Preferably, we provide a series of independent clamping members, and of a form to apply leverage-pressure, especially at the points most effective for support, and in the form illustrated will be seen to comprise individual plates 12 having downturned flanges 13 and 14, the former I being adapted to abut against the body member 2, while the latter seat on the backing element 11. With a series of suchclamping, members located along the sides of tr e slot or liquid-indicating, chamber, and corresponding bolts 15, and takeup nuts 16, individual adjustment may be had, such as to l.ever-presstl1e backing members and transparent elements into position with the body member to withstand high operating pressures within. In order to allow. adequate supportwithout undue thickness of metal in the member 11, it is desirable to provide such member with reenforcements or ribs 17 at the ends where direct clamping engagement is omitted. Otherwise, the member 11 would exhibit a tendency to slightly buckle at the portions directly over the channel at the respective ends with a consequent loosening at these points. With a cross rib 17 as indicated, however, the clamping. pressure may be applied along the points available and without distortive results at the more exposed end regions. Instead of separate grid and back-support members, as above detailed, in some instances it is preferable to have a grid in a form which of itself is sufficiently of a supportive character. As indicated in Fig. 3, this may take the form of a grid member 9, having a suitable slotting as at 18, preferably being cut back or beveled. The member 9 may then seat directly upon the transparent facing 6, a packing or gasket 7 being desirably provided thereunder as aforementioned. Similarly too, the reenforcement or cross 1'? is desirable at the ends, in order to'adequately choice. In Fig. 4 the slotting, for instance, is indicated as a single somewhat narrow slot 10a, preferably cut back or beveled. Such form is particularly advantageous with a thick grid as described in connection with Fig. 3. An adequate clamping means is also provided, for instance, clamping-elements l2 and bolts 15. Again it is desirable that the grid-support have end cross ribs 1'7. In Fig. 5 the slot takes the form of short longitudinal openings 10b, stagger-wise positioned and in Fig. 6 the grid openings are circular and arranged in angular and stag ger-wise groupings. Again, suitable clamping and securing means is contemplated.

In the form. shown in Fig.7, the transparent facing may be a series of disc-like members 6 over slot 3'. Two such slots may be provided if desired and the transparent discs be positioned staggerwise along the two. Grids of discshape having holes or slots, preferably arranged angularly, back the discs. The discs 6 and grids 9 maybe held in the body 2' by screw-threaded collars 19. Packing '7 may be advantageously arranged under the discs.

It will thus be seen that however detailedly constituted, .a construction may be had in which adequate visibility is present and without excessively thick glass facings heretofore considered necessary in high pressure equipment. Moreover, by the further usage of our individual clamping elements, tightening of assemblage may be readily secured at the points where most effective and without the slight distortional action inevitable where a single clamping plate must be drawn into position.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the means stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention.

1; A liquid-level gauge, comprising a liquidlevel indicating chamber, a flexible transparent elongated cover therefor, a metallic elongated backing-up means for said cover, transverse ribs at the ends of said backing-up means for inhibit-- ing buckling of said backing-means, and means for clamping the assemblage together, a portion of said means last named extending closely adjacentisaid ribs but not engaging the same.

2. A liquid-level gauge, comprising a liquidlevel indicating chamber, a flexible transparent elongated cover therefor, a metallic elongated backing-up means for said cover including an inner thin metal plate and an outer thicker metal plate, transverse ribs at the ends of said backingup means for inhibiting buckling of said backing means, and means for clamping the assemblage together, a portion of said means last named eX- tending closely adjacent said ribs but not engaging the same.

3. A liquid-level gauge, comprising a body member having a slot-chamber, a flexible transparent cover therefor, metallic elongated backing-up means for the said cover, and a plurality .of lever clamps hearing by one edge upon said body member and by the other upon said backingup means.

4;. A liquid-level gauge, comprising a body member having a slot-chamber, a flexible transparent cover therefor, metallic elongated backing-up means for the said cover, reinforcing means at the ends of each backing-up means for inhibiting buckling, and a plurality of levcr clamps bearing by one edge upon said body mem- 3 her and by the other upon backing-up means.

5. A liquid-level gauge, comprising a body member having a slot-chamber, a flexible transparent cover therefor, metallic elongated backing-up means for the said cover, transverse ribs at the ends of each backing-up means for inhibiting buckling, and a plurality of lever-clamps bearing by one edge upon said body member and by the other upon said backing-up means.

6. A liquid level gauge, comprising a body member having a slot-damper, a flexible trans" parent cover therefor, multi-periorate metallic elongated backing-up means for the said cover,

and a plurality of lever-clamps bearing by one edge upon said body member and by the other upon said. backing-up means.

7. A liquiddevel gauge, comprising a body member having a slot-chamber, a flexible transparent cover therefor, metallic elongated back ing-up means for the said cover including an inner thin metal plate and an outer thicker metal plate, and a plurality of lever-clamps hearing by one edge on said body member and by the other upon said backing-up means.

8. A liquid-level gauge, comprising a body member having a slot-chamber, a flexible transparent cover therefor, metallic elongated backing-up means for the said cover including an inner thin metal plate and an outer thicker metal plate, transverse ribs at the ends of said outer thicker metal plates, and a plurality of lever-clamps bearing by one edge on said body member and by the other upon said backing-up means. 7

JOHN ROWLAND BROWN.

GERALD 31.". 

